Effect of gypsum, cover crop, and crop rotation on bulk density and aggregate properties of soils

Authors: SHEDEKAR, VINAYAK - The Ohio State University; Watts, Dexter; ISLAM, K RAFIQ - The Ohio State University; RAUT, YOGENDRA - The Ohio State University; Gonzalez, Javier; DICK, WARREN - The Ohio State University; Fausey, Norman; Flanagan, Dennis; REEDER, RANDALL - The Ohio State University; Vantoai, Tara; BATTE, MARVIN - The Ohio State University

Submitted to: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/18/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum is a material produced as a by-product of removing sulfur from the combustion gases at coal-fired power plants. This synthetic gypsum source has received increased attention in recent years as a potential soil amendment for improving agricultural production. The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential benefits of a crop production system that includes no-till, crop rotation, cover crop and gypsum application on continuous soybean production. The response of soil physical properties, i.e., bulk density and water stable aggregates, was evaluated across a range of soil types from different regions with different climatic conditions. The study was conducted in Shorter (AL), Farmland (IN), Hoytville (OH) and Piketon (OH). Soil bulk density and water stable aggregates were unaffected by FGD gypsum addition regardless of the location. Including cereal rye as winter cover increased soil aggregation and bulk density at the Hoytville location only. Rotating the soybeans with corn (compared to continuous soybeans) resulted in soil aggregation and bulk density improvements at all research locations. Results indicate that soybean production that included crop rotation and cover crop into an agricultural management system is beneficial for improving soil physical properties, whereas amending the soil with FGD gypsum was less effective.

Technical Abstract: Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum is a hydrated calcium sulfate (CaSO4•2H2O) material produced as a by-product of scrubbing SO2 from combustion gases at coal-fired power plants. This synthetic gypsum source has received increased attention in recent years as a potential soil amendment for improving agricultural production. The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential benefits of an innovative cropping management system that includes the combinations of no-till, crop rotation, cover crop and gypsum application on continuous soybean production. The response of soil physical properties, i.e., bulk density and water stable aggregates, was evaluated across a range of soil types and climatic conditions. Treatments consisted of comparing (1) continuous soybean to a soybean-corn and corn-soybean rotation, (2) cereal rye [Secale cereale (L.)] cover crop to no cover crop, and (3) FGD gypsum surface-applied at 0, 1.1, and 2.2 Mg ha-1 for 5 years. The study was replicated at four different sites in the United States that included Shorter (AL), Farmland (IN), Hoytville (OH) and Piketon (OH). At the end of the study, soil bulk density and aggregate stability were determined. Soil bulk density and water stable aggregates were unaffected by FGD gypsum addition regardless of the location. Including cereal rye as winter cover increased soil aggregation and bulk density at the Hoytville location only. Rotating the soybeans with corn (compared to continuous soybeans) resulted in soil aggregation and bulk density improvements at all research locations. Results indicate that soybean production that included crop rotation and cover crop into an agricultural management system is beneficial for improving soil aggregate stability, whereas amending the soil with FGD gypsum was less effective.